My Foray into My Midwestern Roots

Scandals, Skeletons and Just Plain Screwed Up

This past weekend as I perused newspaper articles in Ancestry, I ran across a boatload of information concerning some distant cousins and an in-law of one of my great uncles.

Susan Peterson posted on her blog, Long Lost Relatives, an article, What To Do With Skeletons in the Closet” on February 26, 2011. She asked some pertinent questions (I urge you to go and read what she posted). When I ran across all the information that made it abundantly clear that not only does our family have skeletons in the closet, but some scandals, and then those who are just plain screwed up, I realized that I would have to answer those questions. My belief is that if the involved individuals are deceased – and more importantly – that the next generation is also deceased, and if the information is a matter of public record – especially when it was in the newspaper or on a document that anyone could obtain, then I will tell the story. If there are truly sensitive aspects, I won’t lay them out in such detail, but respect the fact that there are possible descendents who either don’t know or have chosen not to acknowledge such behavior.

A little over a year ago, I wrote Georgia On My Mind about my great-grandfather’s niece, Georgia Amore. This weekend I’ve learned some new information in addition to bits and pieces I’ve discovered since I wrote that. Soon, you’ll see that post again – with all the newest items added!

Many years ago when I first started my genealogical journey, a cousin mailed me some information – before either of us were proficient at scanning – and my email system back then wouldn’t even allow attachments. If it had, I’m sure it would have taken a very long time to download as I was still on dial up. One of the news clippings he mailed to me concerned someone who died in prison fairly recently in genealogy time (the 1970s). The man had the same last name as my paternal grandmother’s maiden name. Neither of us had heard of him or even if he was part of “our” House family. Fast forward ten years and I’ve made a connection – and a pretty sad one at that. Some of you might remember the series I wrote about my grandmother’s brother, Alva Lester House, – Lester’s Despair – Part One and More Tragedy for Lester House, concerning several losses that he experienced during his life. The news clipping concerns Lester’s son and his grandsons. After I assemble all of the new items, I will write a post about what I’ve learned.

Another news item that caught my eye, was about my great-uncle’s sister-in-law. I found it only because I’d put my maiden name as a keyword to search Coshocton newspapers. I saw the name “Mayme Amore” (first name spelled incorrectly) and wondered what it was about. She was married to my grandfather’s brother, Roy. (Yes, a real consanquity chart would say that Roy is my grand-uncle, but as I’ve mentioned before, I grew up having him referred to as my great uncle.) I clicked on the news article and it was about Mamie testifying at her sister’s trial. Whoa! What? A trial? What sort of trial? And that my dear readers, is something you’ll have to ponder for awhile – but I will give you the answer and all the particulars soon!

2 Responses

Thanks for mentioning and linking to my article about what to do with skeletons in your genealogy closet. Perhaps even more interesting are the comments that people left as part of that discussion. I think those skeletons are in everyone’s research!

I have to admit that I laughed when I saw the title of this post – I thought, “What, is she writing about MY family”?!?!

You make some interesting comments about all that can be found when we really begin to dig in. I tend to be like you – if the person is deceased and enough time has passed, I will tell the story. There are stories that I (currently) don’t blog much about – but I DO still record them in my database. Someday enough time will have passed….